Kingston police chief asks Common Council to OK $223K worth of purchases

KINGSTON >> City Police Chief Egidio Tinti has requested that the Common Council authorize borrowing more than $223,000 for various equipment purchases that he says are “necessary for our department to maintain operational efficient.”

In a letter to Common Council President James Noble, Tinti requested a total of $223,182.60 for such things as Tasers, computer software upgrades, video cameras for patrol cars and a new fingerprinting machine.

Tinti’s request cites 12 desired purchases:

• Replacing the department’s APS/UPS system, $9,751.80.

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The APS/UPS system is a backup battery power source for computers servers, radios and phone lines.

“In addition to acting as a backup when the power goes out, it also ensures that the electricity flowing to those systems is free from drops and surges,” Tinti wrote to Noble. “The current system is dated and has failed six times this year.”

• Secondary server system, $23,516,78.

• Interact Pocket Cop Client and Listening software, $9,960.

“This software will allow us to extend our current InterAct MobileCop software to provide mission-critical data, such as FBI databases, state motor vehicle files and photos and agency records to designated handheld devices,” Tinti wrote.

• Kronos Workforce Technical Scheduling software, $52,984.

“This software provides an automated scheduling solution that optimizes the scheduling, communications and deployment of personnel,” Tinti wrote. “The system can be tailored to our unique scheduling rules and will improve efficiency by automating overtime, shift assignments, and time-off requests.”

• LiveScan system upgrade, $30,000.

“This is our electronic fingerprint and facial capture system used for criminal bookings,” Tinti wrote. “... The current system has reached end of life. The processor and hardware are no longer supported.”

• Microsoft SQL Server for WatchGuard cameras, $4,287.42.

“This system is necessary for the automated, wireless download of ... in-car video cameras,” the chief wrote.

• Data-processing equipment, $7,000.

“We have several aging terminals, monitors and ... scanners which need replacement in various locations throughout the police department,” Tinti wrote.

• In-car video cameras, $26,100.

“Currently, the majority of our marked patrol fleet is equipped with these video cameras,” but five more systems are needed, Tinti wrote.

• Road Warrior speed sign trailer, $36,000.

“This system is a ultra-mobile configuration of VeriPlate — an advanced automatic license plate recognition solution,” according to the chief.

• Tasers: $7,127.20.

“Over the past six years, we have gradually increased our inventory of these devices through grants, the city budget and bonding,” Tinti wrote. “We currently need eight more in order to issue to each member of the Patrol Division and Special Investigations Unit a device.”

• Patrol rifle mounts: $3,050.

Tinti said that these are necessary for “safe and secure weapons transportation.”

He said the department needs 10 more mounts to put in its fleet of cars.

• Heating/cooling equipment replacement, $13,455.

Tinti said the heating/cooling system in the department’s headquarters is 12 years old and needs some new parts.

Tinti was not immediately available for comment Thursday.

About the Author

Paul Kirby is a reporter for the Freeman, covering Kingston politics. He has been at the Freeman since August 1996. Reach the author at pkirby@freemanonline.com
or follow Paul on Twitter: @PaulatFreeman.